Air-conditioning method



Sept. ll, 1951 c. 4M. yASHLEY AIR CONDITIONING METHOD 2 sheets-sheet 1Filed Decv. 1, 1945 INI/EN TOR.

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Sept. 1l, 1951 c. M. ASHLEY 2,557,353

' AIR CONDITIONING METHOD l A Filed Dec. 1, 1945 I 2 sheets-sheet 2INVENTOR. ay n" @M mesas sq. u, 1951 n uNiTED STAT was Es PATENT gpg-Fmgsciita A* .d A. culylesmn. Y, m e i Carrier Corporation, Syracuse. NiY., a corporation of Delaware Anuman pmmtf11 ,f194s.sermso; 2,1511

l This invention relates to air conditioning'. Many factors, such astransmission gains or losses. sun load. people. lights, etc., enterintothe `air conditioning of large buildings containing a.

plurality of enclosed areas since the heat loads ail'ecting the dierentareas of the conditioned building necessarily vary; For example, in anoillce building, all of the omces having windows facing the east wouldbe subjected to the heating eil'ect of the sun early in the day whereasthe heat load due to sun effect will decrease later in the day. Factorsother than sun load are als'oof major importance. For example, ifcertain oflices ordinarily contain several occupants while other oilicescontain only one occupant, the heat loads in such oillces vary. Inaddition, some spaces may require illumination a major portion of theday while other omces require little or no illumination; necessarily.this affects the heat loads of such oilices to a. greater or lesserdegree depending upon the degree of illumination required.

An air conditioning system in extensive use contemplates the separationof a building into zones in accordance with the various heat loadspresent in the rooms or oilices thereof. In such system, air from theexterior of the building in a quantity adequate for ventilationrequirements is treated at a central conditioning point remote from theareas to be conditioned to control the moisture content thereof inaccordance with the requirements of the various zones, then treated inaccordance with the factors of heat load in each zone, and distributedat relatively high static pressure and at relatively high velocity toaplurality of units disposed in andv serving a plurality [of areas to beconditioned in the various zones. The high pressure air supplied toleach unitV is y' Iit is thatsome zones of the building be .manycontrols required to a building divided into numerous zones.

supplied with warm water while other portions oi' the buildingA aresupplied with cold water.

i Asxstated above. this system' is highly satisfactory and has enteredinto extensive use. It is somewhat'complicated, however. due to` thelcondition adequately by adjustment'of the temperature of theconditionedair ata point remote from the areas to be conditionedandyinkwhichthe variable heat gains such assun load;lights. people, andthe like are 'sus compensatedforb'y varying individually in each ,area'the temperature of the inducedair in accordance. iivi'th `the'variable' heat factors present insuch area,"

#A son further 'vtject 'is no provide, al method of airV conditioninginwhich aquantityfoffair discharged therein at high velocity, inducing arelatively great circulation ci" air withdrawn from the area served bythe unit. The primary or high pressure air and the secondary or inducedair are then supplied to the conditioned area to maintain a desiredtemperature therein. Tempering means such as coils or the like aredisposed in the various local units to eilect cooling or heating of aircirculating through the unitas required; in the operation of the system,cold water is furnished to the tempering means under summer conditions.and warm water is furnished to the tempering means under winterconditions. It will be appreciated depending upon the heat load ineachzone, cold or warm water may be supplied to any zone in winter or insumsuflicientfor ventilation requirements issupplied yto variousv areas.the airvbeing first conditioned to compensate for transmission gains orlosses in such areas, and in which'the variable-heatfactors arecompensated for vby adjustingthe dry bulb temperature fir sensible heatof each area being conditioned in accordance with its individualrequirements. Y

A still further Vobject is to provide a method of air conditioning inwhich the conditioning medium supplied to the various areas, tocompensate for the variable heat factors is passed n after passagethrough such areas in heat exmer. Under intermediate operatingconditions, II

change relation with air to be conditioned and supplied to the variousareas.

A still further object is to provide a'method of air conditioning inwhich conditioning medium for induced air is supplied to the variousareas. the temperature of the conditioning medium being adjusted at apoint remote from the areas to be conditioned in accordance with theerr--` terior temperature of the structure and in which a second supplyof conditioning medium is provided lfor each of thejareas beingconditioned which' isadapted 4to adjust the temperature of induced airinaccordance with the variable heat factors present ineach individualarea.

The present invention relates to a method of air conditioning a buildingstructure containing a plurality of enclosed areas` in which the stepscomprise supplying a quantity of air sunlcient for ventilationrequirements of the enclosed areas, conditioning air to control itsmoisture content while varying its sensible heat to compensate fortransmission gains or losses through- Yout the enclosed areas, supplyingthe conditioned vair at high static pressure to conditioning unitsdisposed in the enclosed areas. discharging the conditioned air at highvelocity within each unit to induce a substantial flow of secondary airwithin the unit from the enclosed areas in which it is disposed, varyingthe temperature of the induced air in each area to compensate for theeffect of the variable sensible heat factors present in such area,mixing the streams of conditioned air and induced air, and dischargingythe mixture of conditioned air and induced air within the area to beconditioned. In some cases, the'conditioning medium from the`conditioning unit may be withdrawn and passed in -heat 'exchangerelation ywith airl to be conditioned.

Thisinvention further relates to a method o1' comprise supplying aquantity of air sumcient for ventilation requirements of the enclosedareas. conditioning air to control its moisture content while varyingits sensible heat to compensate for transmission gains or lossesthroughout the enis provided'to draw air into casing l preferably `fromthe outdoor atmosphere. the air being conditioned in any desired mannerduring its passage through casing 2, and vthen to discharge the'conditioned air'at relatively high staticy pressure into a primary highpressure air duct 5.

`The conditioning apparatus illustrated at 2 may be f `any desired time.and it is understood that the vpresent invention is not limited withrespect to the apparatus illustrated. As illustrated, apparatus 2includes a pluralltyofvdam'py ers 6 'through which air is drawn intocasing 8 from the exterior of thebuilding. a preheating f coil 'Ithrough which steam may be passed to preheat air passinginto casing 3,a. filter I, sprays s. a dehumidiication coil III. a plenum II. and areheating. coilr I2. In such apparatus the air is suitably conditionedin accordance with the requirements of the areas to be conditioned. In

Y air conditioning a building structure containing a l plurality ofenclosed areas in which the steps closed areas,v supplying theconditioned air at high static pressure to conditioning units vdisposedinthe enclosed areas. discharging the conditioned air at high velocitywithin each unit to induce a substantial flow of secondary air withinthe unit from the enclosed area in which it is disposed, supplying aconstantfquantity of conditioning medium at a substantiallyconstanttemperature to a heat exchanger disposed in each unit, supplying asecond quantity of conditioning medium at a predetermined temperaturese-r lected in accordance with the temperature exteriorly of thebuilding to a second heat exchanger disposed in each unit, governing thetemperature of the induced air by passing at least a lportion thereoflover the heat exchangers, adJusting the temperature of the induced airto compensate for the effect of the variable sensible heat factorspresent 'in each area by varying the quantity of conditioning mediumpassing through said first heat exchanger, mixing the streams ofconditioned air and induced air, and discharging the mixture ofconditioned air and induced air within the area to be conditioned.

T he attached drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of my inventionin which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an `airconditioning systemembodying my invenff `tion;

addition. reheating coil I2 is provided to adjust the sensible heat ofthe conditioned air to compensate for transmission gains or lossesthroughout the 'building being conditioned.

Conditioned primary air is forced through-duct 5 by fan I and throughducts I3 to the conditioning units I 4, shown in Figure 4, disposed in lreheating coil I2. The dry bulb temperature or Figure 2 is 'afragmentary diagrammatic view ofa portion of the system shown in Figurel. illustrating a modification thereof;

vFigure 3 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of'a portion of the systemshown in Figure l. il-

' lustrating a further modification thereof; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating deaus or the conditioningunit.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown suitable air conditioningapparatus designated generally at 2, such apparatus being contained in acasing 3. The apparatus may be disposed many y suitable place in thebasement. attic ora storage spaceof a building served thereby. A fan 4the sensible heat of the conditioned air is ad'- 'justed in accordancewith the dry bulb temperature Lexteriorly of"` the building in order tocompensate for transmission gains or lossesthrough-V out the areas beingconditioned. Bulb II disposed in the path of air having its dry bulbtemperature adjusted to compensate for transmission gains or losses alsoactuates thermostat T to increase or to decrease the amount ofsteampassing into reheating coil I2. If desired, return air from the areasbeing conditioned may be fed through duct 20 (shown in dotted outline)into plenum II and mixed with the conditioned'air before its temperatureis adjusted by reheating coil I2.

I have shown a cooler 22 adaptedtoiprovide conditioning medium at al,predetermined temperature for use within the system. The cooler 22 maycomprise any suitable refrigerating apparatus adapted to cool aconditioning medium suchas water. Water is conducted from cooler 22\through pipe 23 to pump 24 which forces the conditioning mediumthroughpipe 25 to the defhumidifying coilv I0 lof apparatus 2. Waterfrom dehumidifyingcoil I0 passes through pipe 25 to riser 21 adapted `tosupply the conditioning me# dium to the units I4 disposed in variousareas I5. A heat exchange member 2l is disposed in eac'h'unit Il.Conditioning medium from heat exchangers 28 then passes through pipe 29to a return riser 30 and pipe 3| to water cooler 22. A valve 32 isdisposed in each pipe leading from riser 21 to each heat exchanger 2l.Valve 22 is controlled by means of a` thermal element` such as a bulbdisposed in the path of air 'induced within unit Il. It rwill -belmdersmIl need not be employed whens valve 32 n cooler 22 as described above asuitable cooling i apparatus 2.

iiows through line 3l, valve I! and pipe 28 as Y previously described.Upon its discharge from the various heat exchangers II it ilows throughpipes 2l, return riser I0, line Il, and'line Il which returns it to thecooling tower.

to compensate for theventilation requirements l o! the areas beingconditioned. The air is conditioned in apparatus 2 to control themoisture content and` sensible heat thereof whereby the sensible heat ofthe air is variedin accordance with the temperature exteriorly oi' thebuilding to compensate for transmission gains or losses throughout theenclosed areas l5. The conditioned air isthen supplied through primaryduct l to ducts Il which supply the conditioned air to units Il.Conditioned air is discharged in units M through nozzles or thelike at arelatively high velocity. The relatively high velocity of theconditioned air within the unit induces a substantial ilow oi' secondaryair within the unit irom the enclosed area l5 in which unit Il isdisposed.

VCooler 22 supplies conditioning medium within the range oi 45 F. to 701". as required to pipe 23; pump 24 forces the conditioning mediumthrough dehumidifping coil lil and through pipe 2t to risers 2l.Conditioning medium ilows from riser 21 through valve 32 to heatexchange member 2l in unit I4. 'Ihe induced air passes over heatexchange member 2l; the temperature of the induced air is governed byits passage over the heat exchanger 28. The quantity change member 2B isvaried in accordance with the variable sensible heat factors present inthe area by meansoi bulb 34 and valve J2 which control the amount f ofconditioning medium passing through heat exchanger 28. By this means thetemperature of the induced air is varied to compensate for the eiect ofthe .variable sensible heat factors present in the areas. The streams ofconditioned air and induced air are mixed'in the unit, and the mixtureisthen discharged through a grille in the unit to the area to beconditioned.

While I have described the temperature oi the y induced air in each unitas being varied in accordance with the amount oi' conditioning mediumowing through heat exchanger, it will be understood the amount oi'conditioning medium ilowing through heat exchanger 2l may be maintainedsubstantiallyconstant; the temperature of the induced air is then variedin accordance with the variable heat factors present in the area bymeans of a suitable damper Il which varies' the amount of induced airpermitted to pass over heat exchanger. In other words. some portion ofthe induced air is passed Y weather.

oftheinducedairbypassesheatexchangerllal showninligure4.Inthiscasebulbllservesto actuate the actuating mechanism for the damperin accordance with the variable heati'actorl present in the area todetermine the quantity o! 'oi air passing over the heat exchanger.

In Figure 2 I have illustrated a modincatlon /oi'my invention which isparticularly adapted ior use during conditions oi winter operation. Asillustrated a heat exchanger Il is added to Conditioning medium.returning through line ll from heat exchangers 2l ot units I4.` disposedin the various areas Il to be conditioned, is passed 'through heatexchanger Il in heat exchange relation with air from the exterior oi'the building drawn into apparatus 2. Under winter conditions the airentering apparatus 2 is colder than the coldconditioning mediumreturning through line 2|. By placing the colder air and coldconditioning medium in heat exchange relation. the colder air ispreheated and the cold conditioning medium is further cooled, thusreducing'the operating cost of theV system. The conditioning mediumpasses from heat exchanger 4l to cooler 4I where it is placed in heatexchange relation with water from a cooling tower passing through lineI2.to cooler 4i. The water from the cooling tower after its passagethrough cooler 4I is returned to the cooling tower through line Il. Itwill be understood by proper control of thevalves in the various linesheat exchanger I0 and the cooling tower may be added to or cut from thesystem. When the heat exchanger 4l and the cooling tower are cut out ofthe system. cooler 22 functions as previously described.

In Figure 3 I have illustrated a modiilcation of my ifnvention adaptedfor use in certain geographic areas subject to yexcessive cold In thiscase an additional heat exchange member 44 is provided in each unit Il.The temperature of the conditioning medium conducted to exchanger Il isvaried in accordance with the exterior'temperature of the building beingconditioned. Thus under winter conditions hot water is supplied toexchanger 4l through line 5f and is discharged therefrom through lineI6, while under summer conditions cold water is supplied to exchanger u.Coil 2i in each unit is provided with water at a substantiallyconstant-temperature within the range of 45 F. to 70 F; selectedlwithout regard to exterior temperature. As the variable heat factors ineach areabeing conditioned increase or decrease, valve 22 is actuated bybulb u to increase or to `decrease the amount of conditioning mediumflowing through heat exchanger 2l. As described, a system such asillustrated in Figure! is particularly desirable for use in localitiesin which the temperature varia so greatly as to prevent the conditionedair alone effectively compensating for transmission gains or losses.

My invention provides a simplified method of operating an airconditioning system which eliminates the excessive initial and operatingcosts of systems heretofore usedwhiie permitting adequate results from astandpoint of aiiconditioning to be attained. The method of operationcontemplated by the present invention may be applied to existing systemsalready installed in building structures or the system may be pro-lvided in new construction or buildings now without a system of airconditioning.

While -I have described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of myinvention, it will be over -heat exchanger 2l while a second portion 7sunderstood my invention is not limited thereto annua since it maybe-otherwise embodied within the scope 'oi' the following claims. e y

I claim:

V1. In the meuod of air @summoning s' sunding structure containing aplurality o! enclosed areas, the` steps which comprise supplying aquantity ofk air sufiicient for ventilation requirements oi the enclosedareas. conditioning air to control its moisture content while varying`its .sensible heat in accordancey with the tempera-,1 ture exteriorlyoi the building to compensate for transmission gains or lossesthroughout the enclosed areas, supplying the conditioned air at highstatic pressure to conditioning units disposed in the enclosed areas,discharging the conditioned air at high velocity within each unit toinduce a substantial flow oi' secondary air within the unit from theenclosed area in which it is disposed, supplying a quantity ofconditioning medium at a temperature within the range o! 45 F.' to 70F.and selected without regard to the exterior temperature to a heatexchanger disposed Vin each unit, governing the temperature of theinducedfair in each unit by passing at least a portion thereof over theheat'e'xchanger, individually and automaticaly adjusting the temperatureoi the induced airin each unit to compensate for the effect of thevariable sensible heat factors present in the area, mixing the streamsof conditioned air and induced air, and discharging the mixture ofconditioned air and induced air within the area to be conditioned tomaintain a desired temperature therein. l n 2. In the method of airconditioning a building structure containing a plurality of enclosedareas, the steps which comprise suppbung a quantity of air suilcient forventilation requirements oi the enclosed areas, conditioning air tocontrol its moisture content While varying its sensible heat inaccordance with the'temperature exteriorly of the building to compensatefor transmission gains or losses throughout the enclosed areas,supplying the conditioned air at high static pressure 'to conditioningunits disposed in the enclosed areas, discharging the conditioned air athigh velocity within each unit to induce a substantial flow of secondaryair within the unit from the enclosed area in which it is disposed,supplying a quantity of conditioning medium at a substantially constanttemperature selected without regard to the exterior temperature to a heat exchanger disposed in each unit, governing the temperature of theinduced air in each unit by passing the induced air over the heatexchanger, varying the quantity of conditioning discharging the'conditionedair at high velocity within each unit to induce a substantialyilow of secondary air within the unit from the enclosed area in whichit is disposed. supplying a constant A quantity oi' conditioning mediumat a predetermined temperature to a heat exchanger disposed in eachunit, passing at least a portion ofthel induced air over the heatexchanger in each unit to control the temperature thereof, varying thetemperature of the induced air to compensate i'or the eilect of thevariable sensible heat iactors present in each area by increasing ordecreasing the quantity of induced air passing over the heat exchanger,mixing the streams of conditioned air and induced air, and dischargingthe y .mixture of conditioned air and induced air within the area to beconditioned to maintain a desired temperature therein. l

4. In thev method yof air conditioning a building structure containing aplurality of enclosed areas. the steps which comprise supplying aquantity of air suillcient for ventilation requirements oi thedetermined temperature selected without regard to the exteriortemperature to a heat exchanger disposed in each unit, governing thetemperature of the induced air in each unit by passing at least aportion thereof over the heat exchanger, varying the temperature of theinduced air in each unit to compensate for the eiiect of the variablesensible heat factors present in the area, mixing the streams ofconditioned air and induced air, discharging the mixture oi conditionedair and induced air within the area to be conditioned. withdrawing theconditioning medium -from the conditioning units, and passing ,thewithdrawn medium passing through the heat exchanger in accordance withthe variable sensible heat factors present in each area therebyadjustingthe temperature oir the induced air in accordance with the variable heatfactors present in'each area,

mixing the streams of conditioned air and induced air, and dischargingthe mixture of conditioned'air and induced air Within the area to beconditioned to maintain a'desired temperature therein.

3. In the method of air conditioning a building structure containing aplurality of enclosed areas,

the steps which comprise conditioning air to control its moisturecontent while varying its sensible heat to compensate for transmissiongains `ox' losses throughout the enclosed areas, supplying theconditioned air at high staticpressure to conditioning units disposed inthe enclosed areas.

conditioning medium 'in heat exchange relation with air to beconditioned. l,

5. -In the method of airconditioning a building Vstructure containing aplurality of enclosed areas,

the steps which comprise supplying a quantity o! air suilicient forventilation requirements of the enclosed areas, conditioning air tocontrol its moisture content while varying its sensible heat inaccordance with the temperature exteriorly of the building to compensatefor transmission gains or losses throughout the enclosed areas.supplying the conditioned air at high static pressure to conditioningunits disposed in the enclosed areas, discharging the conditioned air athigh velocity within each unit to induce a substantial flow of secondaryair within the unit from the enclosed area in which it is disposed.

` to the exterior temperature to a heat exchanger supplying a quantityof conditioning medium atl a constant temperature selected withoutregard disposed in each unit, governing the temperature of the inducedair in each unit by passing'the induced air over the heat exchanger,varying the quantity of conditioning medium passing through the heatexchanger in accordance with the variable sensible heat factors presentin each. area thereby adlustingthetemperature of the induced siriocompensate for tbe eiort oi' the variable areas, the steps whichcomprise supplying ay quantity of air suiilcient for ventilationrequirements of the enclosed areas, conditioning air to control itsmoisture content while varying its sensible heat` to compensate fortrans.

mission gains or losses throughout the enclosed areas. supplying theconditioned air at high static pressure to conditioning units disposedinthe enclosed areas, discharging the conditioned air at high velocitywithin each unit to induce a substantial ilow oi' secondary air withinthe unit from the enclosed area in which it is disposed. supplying aconstant quantity of conditioning medium at a predetermined temperatureto a heat exchanger disposed in each unit, passing at least -a portionof the induced air over the heat exchanger in each unit to control thetemperature Y thereof, varying the temperature of the induced air tocompensate for the eii'ect of the variable sensible heat factors presentin each area by increasing or decreasing the quantity of induced airpassing over the heat exchanger, mixing the streams ot conditioned airand induced air, discharging the mixture of conditioned air and inducedair within the area to be conditioned, witndrawing the conditioningmedium from the conditioning units, and passing the withdrawnconditioning medium in heat exchange relation with air to beconditioned.

' 7. In the method or air conditioning a building structure containnig aplurality o! enclosed areas. the steps which comprise supplying aquantity ot air suillcient for ventilation requirements or the enclosedareas, conditioning air to control its moisture content while varyingits sensible heat in accordance with the temperature exteriorly of thebuilding to compensate for on gains or losses throughout the enclosedareas, supplying the conditioned air at high static pressure toconditioning units disposed in the enclosed areas, discharging theconditioned air at high velocity within each unit to induce asubstantial ilow of secondary air within the unit from the enclosed areain`which it is disposed, supplying a quantity oi conditioning medium ata predermined temperature selected without regard t the exteriortemperature to a heat exchanger disposed in each unit, supplying asecond quantity ot conditioning medium at a predetermined temperatureselected in accordance with the temperature exteriorlyoi' the buildingto a second heat exchanger disposed in each unit, governing thetemperature of the induced air in each unit by passing at least aportion thereof over the heat exchangers, adjusting the temperature ofth'e induced airto compensate for the eii'ect of the variable sensibleheat factors in such area by varying the quantity of conditioning mediumpassing through said first heat exchanger, mixing the streams ofconditioned air and induced air, and discharging the mixture ofconditioned air and induced air within the area to be conditioned` 8. Inthe method'of air conditioning a building structure containing aplurality of enclosed areas. the steps which comprise supplying aquantity of air suiilcient for ventilation requirements of the venclosedareas, conditioning air to control its moisture content while varyingits sensible heat in accordance with the temperature exteriorly of thebuilding to compensate for transmission gains or losses throughout theenclosed areas, supplying the conditioned air at high static pressure toconditioning units disposed in the enclosed areas. discharging theconditioned air at high velocity within each unit to induce asubstantial ilow of secondary air within the unit from theenclosed areain which it is disposed. supplying a substantially constant quantity orconditioning medium at apredetermined temperature selected withoutregard to the exterior temperature to a heat exchanger disposed in eachunit, supplying a second quantity -of conditioning medium at a tem--perature'varying in accordance with the temperature exteriorly of thebuilding to a second heat exchanger disposed in each unit, passing atleast a portion of the induced air over the heat exchangers in each unitto control the temperature thereof. varying the temperature oi.' theinduced air to compensate for the effect of the variable sensible heatfactors presentin each area. by increasing or decreasing the quantity ofthe induced air passing over the first heat exchanger, mixing thestreams oi' conditioned air and induced air, and discharging the mixtureoi conditioned air and induced air within the area to be conditioned vto maintain fa desired temperature therein.

BEFEREN CES CITED The following references are of record in the nie orthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,363,294 Carrier -.....s. Nov. 21. 1944

